Katherine Heigl CIA Drama Picked Up to Pilot at NBC

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UPDATED: The former "Grey's Anatomy" star will topline "State of Affairs" for the network, with Joe Carnahan on board to write and direct.

Katherine Heigl is inching closer to returning to TV.

NBC has officially picked up drama State of Affairs to pilot, more than three months after the network landed the project following a multiple network bidding war.

The CIA project is being developed at Universal Television with Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) on board to write, exec produce and direct. Alexi Hawley (The Following) will also exec produce alongside Robert Simonds, Heigl and her mother/manager, Nancy Heigl, Sophie Watts, Rodney Faraon, Henry Crumptonand Julia Franz.

The drama, described as Scandal meets The West Wing, revolves around a maverick CIA officer (Heigl) who was plucked from the field to become the president's daily briefer, assuming responsibility for targeting America's most critical threats while navigating the unique lifestyle that comes with such a high-powered job.

For the actress, the drama -- should it go to series -- would mark her return to the small screen following her breakout role as Izzie on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. Heigl left the drama in 2010 to pursue other opportunities following a creative clash with producers.

The decision to move forward with the drama comes after sources told The Hollywood Reporter in September that Heigl could have continued to be a big-screen draw but has come across as difficult. The actress publicly aired grievances about both Grey's and Knocked Up, the latter of which she described as "sexist."